Suzanne Gwen Leenders

In Loving Memory of Suzanne Leenders

With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Suzanne Leenders, 57, of Smithfield, Virginia. Suzanne passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, August 11th, 2025, after a brave and unyielding battle with cancer, which she faced with extraordinary grace and strength since her diagnosis in 2019.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on January 22nd, 1968, Suzanne was the beloved daughter of Gary and MaryAnn Romska and the cherished sister of Kent Romska. Her early life was marked by love, laughter, and a deep sense of family — a foundation that shaped the remarkable woman she became.

Suzanne earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from Old Dominion University and went on to lead a life filled with purpose, adventure, and deep personal connection. She married the love of her life, Ruben Leenders, and together they shared 29 beautiful years of marriage built on mutual respect, devotion, and an unwavering bond that inspired everyone around them.

She was also the proud and deeply loving mother of two sons, Sebastian and Bodhi Leenders, who were her heart and soul. Her love for them was boundless, and she poured every part of herself into guiding, encouraging, and celebrating them as they grew into the compassionate, capable men she always knew they would become.

To know Suzanne was to feel truly seen, heard, and loved. She had an innate gift for creating warmth wherever she went — through her laughter, her kindness, and the way she lit up a room simply by being in it. Whether you were a lifelong friend or a new acquaintance, Suzanne made you feel valued. Her sincerity, sense of humor, and infectious joy touched countless lives.

Her strength during her illness was a testament to her spirit — not just in the way she fought, but in the way she continued to live. She chose joy in the face of pain, hope in the face of fear, and love in every moment she had. That legacy of love, resilience, and grace will live on in her family and in everyone whose life she touched.

She will be missed more than words can possibly express — by her devoted husband Ruben, her sons Sebastian and Bodhi, her brother Kent, and by all who were privileged to know and love her. Her absence leaves a space that can never be filled, but her memory will be carried forward in the hearts and stories of everyone she impacted.

Though Suzanne is no longer with us in body, her spirit, her light, and her love remain eternal. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the same love she so freely gave in life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 10 a.m. at Little’s Funeral Home, Smithfield, VA.

“Immortality”

by Clare Harner

Do not stand by my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am a diamond glint of snow.

I am the sunlight on the water

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awake in the morning hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight,

I am the soft starshine at night.

So do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you have memories,

I will always be alive. below.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com